ISLAMIC ETHICAL FRAMEWORK TO TACKLE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DILEMMAS
Keywords:
islam, religious ethics, science and technology, cultureAbstract
This article proposes a suitable ethical framework based on Islamic teaching in tackling emerging scientific and technological issues. The framework is based on the maqasid al-shariah or the higher purposes of the Islamic Divine law. Under this framework, there are five purposes of the Islamic Divine law which are protected, namely faith, life, intellect, progeny, and property. This framework can serve as a useful checklist that can assist Muslims in providing responses to the various issues pertaining to science and technology. Islamic ethical framework must, therefore, be grounded on these five higher purposes of the maqasid in order to address the changes taking place in the world as a result of the rapid progress in the various branches of science and technology. This would provide the much needed moral norms to ensure that science and technology do not bring forth harm and destruction.
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